The Mammals of Sable Island

Abstract

Halichoerus grypus "Horse Head" first reliable report by Gilpin 1870 aerial survey on January 26, 1962: mostly at east spit, counted 99 males 161 females 112 pups west spit count 2 males, 21 females, 22 pups landed for 6 days on February 3, 1963: 270 pups at east spit (122 male to 131 female) and only 12 pups at west spit from age distribution of pups, mean date of birth January 12, season: Dec 23 to Feb. 4 (6 weeks) however age groupings are not accurate since moulted pups assumed to be 3-4 weeks, and fully moulted pups assumed to be 4 weeks old (based on E.A.Smith) assumed that breeding system was monogamous February 8, 1964: east spit count was 128 males, 21 females, 120 immatures and 265 pups February 10, 1965: east spit count was 246 pups (118 male to 128 female) other data on P.vitulina, Odobenus rosmarus, blue whale, Sperm whale, Harbour porpoise, pilot whale (all stranded), horses